VOL. 35 NO. 5
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MAY 2025
Chasin A Dream Foundation’s Annual Gala Raises Over $550,000 For Local Children Battling Life-Threatening Illnesses Chasin A Dream Foundation’s annual gala was an unforgettable evening of generosity and impact, raising over $550,000 to support local children facing lifethreatening illnesses. Held on March 13, at The Pelican Club in Jupiter, Fla., the golf-themed gala, Fairways Fore Good, highlighted Chasin A Dream’s signature Locals Helping Locals® initiative, creating an inspiring and meaningful night. A standout moment of the evening was the Warrior Runway, a cherished tradition at Chasin A Dream galas, where a dozen “Warriors” take the stage, receiving a well-deserved celebration in front of an audience moved by their strength and resilience. Chasin A Dream Warriors are children in the community with life-threatening conditions, supported by Chasin A Dream’s mission. Samantha Kerrigan of WPEC Channel 12 was the event chair and the emcee for the evening. Other
Marco Hannan, Kayden Jurgens, Sophia Ferreira, Rose Loretta, Brooklyn Gonzalez, Sydney Whitaker, Lori Griffith, Roman Burnette, Luke Veitz, Deneilia Bennett, Sam Kerrigan
notable attendees include Tanya Lorigan and Keith Lorigan, Terra Brown, Barbara and Richard Halpern, Ashley Mock, Brian Pandiscio, Gene Sauers, Dr. Edward Davidson, Judy Borinstein, Brenda Diuro and Missy Weldhorn. Key contributors to the event were Anna Flowers – floral arrangements, Sand & Salt Salon – hair and makeup for Warrior children, Garb – clothing for Warrior Runway, Jupiter Golf Carts – donated a golf cart to the live auction, Alexis Bleiler and Jaxel Media – Gala video, Jupiter Wedding Photo and Tracey Benson – photography for event. The evening’s live auction, led by auctioneer Neil Saffer, opened with an emotionally charged moment as a painting created by Warrior Deneilia B., who is bravely battling neuroblastoma, was auctioned for $10,000—with every dollar Chasin A Dream Foundation’s Annual Gala on page 2
Marine Community Celebrates Palm Beach International Boat Show’s Expansion At Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony And Kickoff Party The marine community celebrated the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show’s five-day expansion on Wednesday, March 19, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a kickoff party in downtown West Palm Beach. The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) and Informa Markets, owner and producer, respectively, of the boat show, gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony outside of the show’s Windward VIP Lounge. They were joined by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, Palm Harbor Marina owner Cheryl Chase, and commissioners from the City of West Palm Beach. Later that evening, members of MIAPBC and Informa Markets, and other marine industry executives, enjoyed Marine Community Celebrates on page 4
Elena Murphy, Martin Murphy
Ribbon cutting with Mayor Keith James (center), Cheryl Chase (middle left), city commissioners, MIAPBC and Informa Markets
The Hidden Crisis: Homeless Service Demands Increase Despite Drop In Point-In-Time Count By Cornie Thornburgh, Chair of The Lord’s Place Board of Directors As Board Chair of The Lord’s Place, a local nonprofit providing programs and services to end homelessness, we serve our most vulnerable neighbors. On any given night there are thousands of men, women, and children – hidden in
the shadows of Palm Beach County’s paradise – who do not have a safe and permanent place to call home. Annually, we participate in the U.S. Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)-mandated Point-in-Time Count (PIT). PIT is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. As reported by The Palm Beach Post, the January
2025 PIT count recently released reflects 1,520 individuals and families in Palm Beach County who are struggling without a place to call home. This reflects a decrease of more than 28 percent, after staggering increases that were reported in 2023 and 2024. Although the count is a vital tool for resource development and planning, it serves as one measure of Palm Beach County’s progress in decreasing homelessness and success in housing homeless populations. The recent statewide legislation makes it illegal to camp on public property and has led many of those we seek to move into the shadows. This makes it increasingly difficult to get accurate results. The School District of Palm Beach County uses another tool to count public school students who are experiencing homelessness. According to the school district’s latest count, there are 4,252 students in our county without a place to call home. The Hidden Crisis on page 5